Kids Against Hunger program returns to New Prague April 20

By Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

For the fourth consecutive year, the Kids Against Hunger program will hold an event in New Prague.

Between 350 to 400 volunteers, from ages six to 100, are needed to help package food at the KC Hall, 411 Fourth Ave. SW. The event will be held from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the KC (Knights of Columbus) Hall in New Prague.

In the past three years, more than 1,000 volunteers from surrounding communities have packaged 294,058 dry meals that have gone to needy children and families around the globe. The food was designed by scientists and consists of fortified soybeans, rice, dehydrated vegetables, chicken flavoring, vitamins, minerals and other ingredients, which makes the packages 52 percent protein.

Kids Against Hunger, a non-profit organization, has sent the meals to people in a variety of circumstances. The packages have benefited local food shelves to aiding people suffering from such natural disasters as tsunamis in Asia to Hurricane Katrina in the United States.

Volunteers on April 20 can choose from three shifts, 2:30 to 4 p.m., 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. People can help as long as they want, even if it's for one hour.

John Neisen of Stewart has been a major organizer of the packing events in New Prague with help from his uncle and aunt, Richard and Gert Meger of Le Center, and many others. Their goal this year is to make 100,000 meals and raise $10,000, which will cover the cost of ingredients that are 10 cents per meal. All the money raised will be used to buy food.

Anyone with questions about volunteering can contact Gert Meger at 952-873-6554. Those wishing to volunteer can show up the day of the event.

Fund donations can be dropped off at the KC Hall on April 20 or can be sent to Kids Against Hunger, 28211 221st Ave., Belle Plaine, MN 56011 by Friday, April 17.